Rita G. Buss, 95, of La Porte, IN, passed away on December 3, 2024, at Brentwood at La Porte.  

Rita was born on June 1, 1929, in La Porte, IN, to Thomas and Margaret (Tucker) Gallagher.  

On June 25, 1949, at the St. Joseph Sanctuary in La Porte, IN, she married Walter W. Buss, who preceded her in death. Surviving Rita are her 7 children, Daniel (Karen) Buss of Rolling Prairie, Norene (David) Pieschala of La Porte, Patricia (Tom) Krout of La Porte, Melissa (Phil) Kindig of Rolling Prairie, John (Deb) Buss of La Porte, Lucinda Neitzel of Pinellas Park, FL, and Jill Thorpe of Pleasant View, TN; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 5 great, great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Mark Laskarin; and siblings, Margaret (Jim) Durbin, Mary Ellen (Gilbert) Johnson, Thomas (Yvonne) Gallagher, Francis (Ella May) Gallagher, and Cecelia Toutloff.  

A graduate of La Porte High School, Rita went on to graduate from Reese Business School.  She worked at Allis Chalmers as a young woman.  Following Allis Chalmers, Rita worked at American Home Foods and ultimately retired, after 20 years, from Howmet Aerospace as an inspector.  She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church.  

Rita was an avid reader.  She enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy.  

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Holy Family Parish - St. Peter Catholic Church, La Porte, with Father Nate Edquist officiating.  Burial will follow at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.  

Memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Family Parish, 210 Bach St., La Porte, IN 46350.    

Condolences may be shared online at www.cutlercares.com.